Depends on your interpretation of ‘on time.’ If that means before the start of training camp, likely not. If that means before the start of the 2019-20 NHL season, potentially. But, also, potentially not. The Flames and the 21-year-old winger are still in contract negotiations and while some dominoes are falling around the league, that has not seemed to have an impact on Tkachuk’s camp. Players want to play, we all know that. And as it gets closer and closer to go-time, you’d think the pressure would be on both sides to come to a deal. Right now, however, they’re playing a game of chicken.

2. What do the Calgary Flames do for an encore in 2019-20?

This question won’t be answered in training camp, of course, but the theme will largely hang over Scotiabank Saddledome for the coming months. The last time this group was together, they were at a loss for words after the Colorado Avalanche stunned them with a five-game dismantling in the first round of the post-season. They had one of the best seasons in franchise history with 50 wins and 107 points, but none of it mattered at the end of the 2018-19 campaign. The bar has been set, expectations have been raised. So, now what happens?

3. Did the Calgary Flames improve enough in the off-season?

Some have criticized Flames general manager Brad Treliving for not doing enough in the summertime to add to the Flames’ potential. That’s only natural after a disappointing exit from the 2019 NHL playoffs after such a successful regular season. But the boss has stayed the course, adamant the team must find its own internal growth. Fair enough. He made a few subtle moves (added Cam Talbot as a No. 1A/B goalie to support David Rittich and Milan Lucic; traded James Neal), invited players on professional tryout offers, and hopes to see some competition in training camp (and, of course, Treliving still needs to ink one of their most important assets in Matthew Tkachuk). And nothing can replace the experience that the core group of players received in the springtime. But there is a reason there are 82 regular-season games. Time will tell.

4. How does their goaltending stack up?

That depends on whether or not David Rittich takes a step in 2019-20 and Cam Talbot has left the woes of 2018-19 behind him. Both men are in different positions and stages in their careers. Rittich, 27, re-signed with the Flames for two more years in the off-season, inking a deal worth US$2.75-million per year, which is a testament to the team’s belief in the good-natured Czech netminder, who has improved on his game every year he’s been in North America. As for Talbot, 32, his numbers took a hit last season with the Edmonton Oilers as he posted a 10-15-3 record, a 3.36 goals-against average and .893 save percentage before being traded to the Philadelphia Flyers. But, after signing with the Flames on July 1, he took it back to basics. This tandem could take the pressure off either goalie and create a 1A, 1B tandem.

5. Who will fill their sixth and seventh defenceman spot now?

All of a sudden, the Flames are in a predicament. With Juuso Valimaki’s off-season knee injury — which has put him on the shelf for six to nine months — they are suddenly short one, bonafide blueliner who they thought was destined for an entire season at the NHL level. But when one door closes, another opens. Hence Wednesday’s signing of Michael Stone, who had been bought out earlier this summer for some cap-space relief. With Rasmus Andersson’s expected full-time role with the Flames, it’s between Stone, Oliver Kylington, and Brandon Davidson to round out the backend. And don’t forget about PTO Andrew MacDonald.